WCU-Orange County Archives | ��

Elevating Advanced Practice: Inside ��’s MSN-APRN On-Site Intensive Weekend

�� — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:00:00 +0000

��’s Master of Science in Nursing-Advanced Practice Registered Nurse program recently held another successful On-Site Intensive weekend, welcoming nursing students to its Orange County and Texas campuses for a hands-on educational experience designed to prepare them for real-world clinical practice.

What Is the OSI Weekend?

The On-Site Intensive is a signature component of the MSN-APRN programs, offering students an opportunity to practice and refine advanced clinical skills under the guidance of expert faculty. Over the course of the weekend, participants engage in immersive workshops that bridge theory with practice, reinforcing the program’s commitment to career-ready education in advanced nursing.

A Weekend of Clinical Skill-Building

During the OSI, students tackled essential competencies including:

Electronic documentation systems for accurate patient recordkeeping

Collaborative case studies to develop critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning

National board exam review sessions to support certification readiness

Hands-on procedural training in wound management, suturing, and interpreting X-rays and EKGs

This structured, interactive format allows students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-time, gaining the confidence and clinical expertise needed to excel as nurse practitioners.

Empowering the Next Generation of Nurse Practitioners

Whether they are pursuing a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP), or other advanced pathways, WCU’s MSN-APRN students benefit from an education that goes beyond the textbook. The OSI weekend fosters peer collaboration, mentorship, and clinical excellence — core pillars of WCU’s mission to develop practice-ready graduates.

The event captured students proudly engaging in skill stations, collaborating on diagnostic challenges, and celebrating milestones in their journey toward becoming compassionate, competent nurse leaders.

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Career Connections in Action: WCU-Orange County Hosts Spring Career Fair

�� — Wed, 14 May 2025 16:00:00 +0000

The Career Services department at ��-Orange County recently hosted a vibrant spring career fair aimed at connecting students and graduates with a wide range of top healthcare employers

“We invited top hiring partners and organizations that are looking to hire either student nurses, most importantly, new grad nurses,” explained Dianna L., associate campus director of Career Services. “We have students and graduates here who are looking to speak with these employers to learn more about their opportunities or about their upcoming residency programs.”

The fair offered more than just job opportunities — it gave students a chance to make memorable first impressions and build relationships with potential employers. For current students, Dianna emphasized the importance of exploring part-time or per diem roles.

“They’re here to learn about per diem or part-time opportunities within these organizations… to see how they can gain more hands-on clinical experience and make them more marketable in the workforce,” Dianna added.

Among the attendees was Rachael I., a WCU-Orange County BSN student preparing to graduate in June. She shared her motivation for attending: “The openings for a lot of jobs are going to be coming up, so I just wanted to network, meet the hiring managers, and try to stand out.”

Events like these, Rachael added, are a rare chance to rise above the noise. “They’re going to see over 500 resumes… It’s a way to stand out with [your] personality.”

About �� Career Services

�� Career Services is dedicated to supporting students and alumni as they prepare to enter and grow in the healthcare workforce. Our team of experienced Career Services advisors works one-on-one with individuals to provide personalized guidance in areas such as resume building, interview preparation, job search strategies, and professional development.

In partnership with a wide network of employers, WCU Career Services facilitates connections through job fairs, virtual events, and on-campus recruitment activities. Students also benefit from resources such as career coaching, employer meet-and-greets, and access to job listings tailored to their fields of study.

Whether students are seeking their first healthcare job or aiming to advance their careers, WCU Career Services remains committed to helping them succeed beyond graduation.

To learn more about career services, please stop by the Career Services Suite on campus or visit the .

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From Student to Faculty: WCU Alumna Gives Back to Dental Hygiene Program

�� — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:00:25 +0000

�� dental hygiene instructor Katie B.’s story is a full-circle testament to the power of community, education, and a passion for healthcare. After graduating from WCU’s Dental Hygiene program in 2014, Katie returned in 2017 — not as a student but as a faculty member eager to give back to the next generation of dental professionals.

“Being a student here, I really loved ��, and I was eager to come back and continue what the faculty did for me,” Katie said. “They provided me so much to make my dental career so lucrative and also just so fulfilling.”

Now a dedicated faculty member, Katie is helping students bridge the gap between the classroom and clinical practice. Her dual role as an educator and working clinician allows her to bring real-world experience into her teaching. She focuses on giving students practical tools and insights that help them transition smoothly into professional practice. Hearing from former students who feel confident and well-prepared in their new roles is one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

“I like to work with students and give them real-life experience because I am still working clinically, so we work in a lot with tips and tricks and things to be able to move from clinical in school to clinical in private practice.”

Katie is also passionate about community service. One of the highlights of the dental hygiene program is the annual Smile Camp, where students provide no-cost dental cleanings, X-rays, and education to local children. For many students, this is their first hands-on experience working with pediatric patients.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for them to apply everything they’ve learned in a fun, supportive environment,” Katie shared. “The camp not only helps the community but also instills in students the importance of giving back through their profession.”

Katie encouraged prospective students to come ready to learn and embrace the fast-paced, hands-on approach at West Coast. With technologically advanced equipment, extensive faculty support, and a commitment to student success, West Coast Dental Hygiene stands out as a leader in preparing future hygienists.

“When you come to West Coast, we have every experience you could possibly imagine from technology to hands-on training,” she said. “Our faculty are here full-time for you so we bring in the newest innovations that we can use with our students so when they go into private practice, they’re prepared.”

For Katie, the reward is simple: seeing her students thrive, just like she did.

“Coming back as faculty after being a student is giving what I was able to receive, so I hope that if one student can take away something that I’ve taught them into their real world — that is exactly what I’m here for,” she said.

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Smile Camp 2025 Helps �� Dental Hygiene Students Shine in Orange County

�� — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Another year, another fantastic Smile Camp hosted by our outstanding Dental Hygiene faculty and students at ��-Orange County.

Providing Free Dental Care & Education

Held in celebration of Children’s Dental Health month, Smile Camp is a special event designed to provide local children with free dental services while educating them on the importance of good oral hygiene.

“Smile Camp is a community service event that the dental hygiene program puts on for students to work with children in our community. We do free cleanings and X-rays and even some sealants,” WCU dental hygiene instructor and BSDH alumna Katie B. shared.

The event also featured a dedicated education room where children could learn about oral hygiene in an engaging way.

“We take students after they’re seen with the dentist and the hygienist, and they go to another room, and they get a lot of education where they learn more about brushing and flossing,” Katie explained. They just get a better understanding about food and diet and how that reacts with their teeth.”

A Valuable Learning Experience for WCU Students

Smile Camp is not only a rewarding experience for the children but also for the �� Dental Hygiene students who participate.

“We take all the applications that we’ve used and taught them for the last three or four terms, and we apply it today where they just focus on children,” Katie shared. ” It’s a great place because we have all the balloons and everything to make it so welcoming for everybody to come.”

For many students, Smile Camp offers their first real-world experience working with pediatric patients.

“The students get to use their skills, and while we apply a lot of our application on adults, they don’t get a lot of experience with children. So, this is a great opportunity for all the students to have some experience time with children,” Katie added.

A Strong Community Turnout

This year’s Smile Camp was a resounding success, with an overwhelming response from the community.

“Today, the feedback has been awesome. We’ve had such a turnout that we have people waiting in line, which is wonderful,” Katie said. “The students are so eager to keep working. They have scheduled times to be here, but so many are just over their scheduled time because they see the benefit of volunteering. Community is a huge part of dental hygiene.”

About the WCU Dental Hygiene Clinic

The impact of Smile Camp extends beyond a single event — ��’s Dental Hygiene Clinic continues to serve the community year-round. The clinic is an educational facility where Dental Hygiene students provide high-quality oral health care under the supervision of licensed dentists and registered dental hygienists.

Couldn’t make it to Smile Camp? The �� Dental Hygiene Clinic is open to the public Monday through Friday, offering no-cost services to more than 15,000 adult and child patients a year.

The �� Dental Hygiene Clinic is located at 1477 S Manchester Ave., Anaheim, CA, 92802 (Fourth Floor). Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, call (877) 928-2546.

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WCU-Orange County Archives | ��������

Elevating Advanced Practice: Inside ��������’s MSN-APRN On-Site Intensive Weekend